When the fate of Mystery Science Theater 3000 was uncertain in 1996 the writers chose to toss the entire premise of the show up into the air. In the final episode produced for Comedy Central, episode #706, Laserblast, Dr. Forrester learned that his funding had been cut and that the experiment was over. He disconnected the Umbilicus, allowing the Satellite of Love to drift into Earth's atmosphere and burn up. However, Gypsy and Tom Servo found a way to access the ship's engines and sent the wayward ship hurling into space towards parts unknown. When the series went back into production for Season Eight on the Sci-Fi Channel the Umbilicus concept did not return, as now a new character, Observer, could sent items to and from the Satellite of Love with the power of his mind, thereby negating the need for a physical link between Mike Nelson and his tormentors.